Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Alcohol/Ethanol (non-legal)

Suitable Specimen Types

Fluoride Oxalate

Alcohol/Ethanol (non-legal)

Specimen Volume

2 mL blood

Specimen Transport

Not applicable

Sample Preparation

Collect into fluoride oxalate (grey top) tube and ensure bottle is tightly sealed.

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Ensure bottle remains tightly sealed prior to analysis. Samples must not be put through the pre-analytical (MPA) system.

Sample Stability

3 months at 5°C

General Information

Ethanol is a depressant of the central nervous system (CNS). It is absorbed directly from the stomach or digestive tract and is eventually redistributed throughout the entire body water. It is elimi­nated via:-

 

  • Biochemical destruction in the liver (>90%)
  • Exhalation as vapour from the lungs
  • Excretion in the urine. (The blood level decreases as a result, at a rate of between 1 and 2 mg/L/)

 

Ethanol affects all cells, but most dramatically produces behavioural disturbances due to a depressive effect on the brain. Serum ethanol levels may be ordered in suspected alcohol ingestion as well altered mental status of unknown etiology, coma, psychiatric emergencies, traumatic emergencies, and history of other ingestions (eg, toxic alcohol, salicylates). The symptoms of ethanol intoxication may include confusion, staggering, vomiting, and unconsciousness.  Ethanol levels are also monitored every few hours in patients that have been given ethanol as an antidote to methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning. 

Patient Preparation

No patient preparation is necessary. Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venepuncture.

Notes

Guide to interpretation

> 1000 mg/L -  intoxication

3500 - 4500 mg/L - severe intoxication

 5500 mg/L - usually fatal

 

 

Reference Range

Not applicable

Specifications

  • EQA Status: UK NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Thursday, 17 May 2018

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962